Summer may be ending, but that doesn’t mean you can’t soak up a few last rays on the beach. File Photo
While the long days of sun and sand are coming to an end, don’t get too depressed about bidding adieu to the summer – there is plenty happening this Labor Day weekend that will keep your mind off the coming cold weather.
Whether you and your kids want to take a free ferry ride or catch some last-minute rays on the beach before the days are filled with school books and work, Queens residents have plenty to smile about this Friday through Monday.
There are a number of events running throughout the weekend that will no doubt be crowd-pleasers. Hop on the Staten Island ferry and visit the Richmond County Fair – an old-fashioned county fair that sets up shop on the 25-acre Historic Richmond Town. There will be live music and such carnival-style events as pig races, pie- and hot dog-eating contests, classic car displays, and more. Tickets are $15 in advance, $16 at the door and free for children under 30 inches.
And, even if you don’t feel like going to the fair, a ride on the Staten Island ferry – which is free – provides amazing views of the city, as well as the Statue of Liberty.
Or, residents can jump on another free ferry and head to Governors Island, where the NYC Unicycle Festival will be held all weekend long. Residents can give one-wheeling a try, or the less adventurous can watch professional athletes play games of unicycle basketball and hockey. While you’re there, be sure to check out the vintage carnival happening on the island, Fete Paradiso. The festival is free.
For those of you who would like to remain in Queens, a Michael Jackson tribute band will play at Resorts World Casino on Friday at 8 p.m. The concert, which will include power-packed performances of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits, is free for the first 1,000 people.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Ridgewood Market Labor Day Weekend Flea Event will give residents a chance to peruse everything from antiques to art and food. The event, sponsored by the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council, will include handmade, local and vintage items for sale. The event will begin at 11 a.m. both days and is located at 59-03 Summerfield St. in Ridgewood.
The Great North River Tugboat Race and Competition will be held in Midtown West on Sunday, when you can watch more than a dozen tug boats race from around the 79th Street Boat Basin to Pier 84, where there will be knot-tying and spinach-eating contests and live music. The races can be viewed for free between West 44th and West 79th streets.
This weekend also gives residents a chance to catch up on some of the things they may have missed so far this season – including checking out a new amusement park in Flushing Meadows Corona Park to taking a spin on the carousel in Woodhaven’s Forest Park. Situated by the Flushing Meadows carousel, Fantasy Forest – the only amusement park in Queens – features five rides for younger children: the Queens Himalaya, Corona Choo Choo, Fantasy Frog Hopper and as mall roller coaster. Tickets are $1 each and each ride costs about three to four tickets.
For those who want to enjoy the water before it gets too cold, they can rent rowboats and paddleboats for outings on Flushing Meadows’ Meadow Lake at the boathouse on the body of water’s east side. For more information, call (646) 229-4470.
Families can also get a kick out of a mini-golf outing at the New York Hall of Science, located at 47-01 111th Street. There, players can take their best shot on a course that features two real NASA rockets. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for children or seniors.
And, of course, don’t forget about Queens’ beaches. Besides catching some last-season rays, residents can check out shops around Beach 116th Street, and more secluded spots are usually available around Beach 125th Street and beyond.
By Anna Gustafson
